Former Arunachal Chief Minister Kalikho Pul found dead at his residence
ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister, allegedly committed suicide in Itanagar. Mr. Pul (47) allegedly hanged himself from the ceiling fan in his bedroom, a top police officer said. He was found dead at the chief minister’s official residence, which he was yet to vacate. He is survived by three wives and four children.
As Mr. Pul’s death news spread all the MLAs from ruling and opposition parties, ministers, friends and members of public rushed to the bungalow.The circumstances behind the death were still not clear.Mr. Pul, who took over the reigns of the state on February 19 this year, served as Chief Minister for a brief time with the Supreme Court in July reinstating Nabam Tuki, who then made way for Pema Khandu as the tenth Chief Minister of the State.
Mr. Pul had led a group of dissident MLAs from Congress against the then Chief Minister Nabam Tuki early this year.A few hours after President’s Rule was revoked in Arunachal Pradesh on February 19, the dissident Congress leader, was sworn in as Chief Minister.
However, the State’s Congress leaders moved the apex court against the manner in which the President’s rule was withdrawn without the apex court’s knowledge and the formation of the Pul government in the next three hours on February 19.
But the apex court on Monday refused to intervene in the formation of the new government under dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul, saying the highest judiciary has anyway the power and strength to put the clock back in the sensitive border State.
On July 13, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously quashed Arunachal Pradesh Governor J.P. Rajkhowa’s decision to advance the Assembly session from January 14, 2016 to December 16, 2015, a move which triggered political unrest in the sensitive border State and culminated in the declaration of President’s rule on January 26.
According to initial reports, he was suffering from depression and was extremely upset after his appointment was struck down by the Supreme Court. He was known to be a person of strong grit and determination.Pul had come to power after 12 MLAs supporting then chief minister Nabam Tuki joined his camp.
Pul became the eighth chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh in February 2016. Having lost his parents at an early age, Pul went on to learn carpentry, sell furniture and serve as a casual night chowkidar at Rs 212 per month. He also sold paan and beedi to attend a night school.
